Contact us at: whispernthunder1@gmail.comWisdom from the Elders
~ Julie Baris
Native American elders are revered individuals
who provide wisdom and leadership for their
Tribes by exuding grace, wisdom, and gentleness
in their daily words and actions. An Elder’s wisdom
is invaluable to a tribe’s community, prosperity and
well-being, based on traditional knowledge and
practices that have been passed down through
generations and for their connection to the
spiritual world.
One important role of elders is passing down traditional knowledge and teachings to younger generations. This knowledge includes everything from beadwork, drumming, and storytelling to more profound spiritual practices. Elders are the guardians of Native American culture, and it is through them that the community is able to maintain its spiritual practices and beliefs. This wisdom encompasses values, beliefs, and philosophies that help the young Native American students to develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth. It teaches them how to live in harmony with nature and to respect all living things.
Elders are sacred bearers of golden truths and know many valuable stories about the Old
Ways. They are considered wise and knowledgeable guides who possess a wealth of
experience and wisdom.
In years past, when Native American elders spoke, people were expected to listen.
It has been said that when they listened to their elders, you could hear a pin drop across a basketball court because back then they knew the importance of listening to them. It is believed that elders have a direct line of communication with the spirit world and are able to understand the messages and signs sent by spirits. A Native American is usually considered an Elder when they are above the age of 60-65, although it varies from Tribe to Tribe.
In an excerpt from PowWowTimes, these quotes provide us insights from the Great Wise Elders gone before us:
--“Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good and they fight each other all the time. When asked which one wins I answer, the one I feed the most.”
Sitting Bull
--“It was the story of a mighty vision given to a man too weak to use it; of a holy tree that should have flourished in a people’s heart with flowers and singing birds, and now is withered; and of a people’s dream that died in bloody snow. But if the vision was true and mighty, as I know, it is true and mighty yet; for such things are of the spirit, and it is in the darkness of their eyes that men get lost.”
Black Elk
--“When we set a fox-trap we scatter pieces of meat all round, but when the fox gets into the trap we knock him on the head; We want no bait; let your chiefs come like men and talk to us.”
Big Bear
--“While all their mouths talk right, I do not understand why nothing is done. I have heard talk and talk but nothing is done. Good words do not last long unless they amount to something… I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more… It does not take many words to speak the truth.”
Chief Joseph
--"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.” Crazy Horse
--“A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.“
Tecumseh
--“We all know the story of the man who sat by the trail too long, and then it grew over, and he could never find his way again. We cannot forget about what has happened, but we cannot go back, nor can we sit beside the trail.”
Chief Pound Maker
--“Of all the teachings we receive, this one is most important: Nothing belongs to you of what there is, of what you take, you must share.”
Chief Dan George
--“Everybody is so distracted by things for the self. They don’t care about their relatives
anymore. The SUV shows how we feel about the environment. To turn this around, we need to go back to the earth and live with the earth spiritually.”
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman
--“Leadership is about submission to duty not elevation to power.”
Gordon Tootoosis
A Prayer By a Native American Elder
Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we share the Earth:
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.